The red flags warn of a formula for disaster: Wind gusts of up to 35 mph, mixed with the parched wood and grass and brush littering the forest floor and barren fields, create the volatile risk of explosive brush fires that can quickly get out of control.

The danger prompted the National Weather Service on Wednesday to issue "red flag" warnings of high brush fire risk for the Hudson Valley, New York City, Long Island and eastern Connecticut during the day.

"In early spring, without leaves on the trees, the sun can beam straight down on the ground and dry up any moisture," said Seamus Leary, deputy commissioner Division of Emergency Management for Orange County. "When this is combined with low humidity and high winds, this makes for perfect brush fire conditions."

Ulster County firefighters had to douse two brush fires Wednesday, one in Kripplebush and the other in Kerhonkson, according to Ulster Emergency Service Director Art Snyder.

Not only is burning outdoors under such conditions unsafe, it is illegal. As Snyder and Orange County Executive Ed Diana pointed out, the state has banned all outdoor burning from March 16 through May 14.

Snyder said his office has tallied the number of brush fires in recent years to evaluate how well the burn ban works. Far fewer fires have occurred, he said.